“We heard you loud and clear that security needed to be at the heart of this initiative while also conveying the message that ESA-accepted SECURE+ companies offer you the ability to connect, protect and control everything going on in your life and in your home,” explained Kirk MacDowell, chairman of the SECURE+ committee.

Enhanced services have quickly become one of the security industry’s new buzz phrases. There are strong supporters, those who claim the technology isn’t ready, those who believe they are outside of a security company’s core mission, and many in between.  Whichever the case was for individuals, discussions on enhanced services came up often during this summer’s Electronic Security Expo, held in Nashville, Tenn. And during the annual Electronic Security Association member meeting, ESA announced it has embraced the new opportunities that enhanced services represent with a new education, marketing and funding program: the SECURE+ Initiative.

As other technology companies enter the security space, ESA executive director and chief executive officer Merlin Guilbeau stated, it is important to showcase the range of services ESA member companies have been providing for quite some time. Whether a customer wants to conserve energy by remotely adjusting the lights and thermostat, check to see if a son or daughter has come home from school, or make sure the home is protected from intruders or fire, member companies can provide the appropriate solution.

Kirk MacDowell, SECURE+ committee chairman as well as residential business leader at UTC Fire & Security, introduced the program at ESX and noted, “ESA had the vision to recognize that this trend is a reality and formed a task force to determine the best way for us to maintain and enhance the identity of the security industry while helping ESA members navigate through this wave of the future.”

At the heart of the initiative is the irrefutable need to clear up some of the consumer confusion surrounding enhanced digital services offered by security companies. The SECURE+ Initiative aims to “raise awareness within the industry and increase the public profile for new technologies and services offered by member companies while helping guide and sustain visibility and market share for electric security companies in this growing area of the business,” MacDowell said.

Participating companies will be able to display the ESA SECURE+ Seal of Acceptance company logo on their website, social media pages, and other marketing materials. In addition, an awards program will help sustain the program and offer additional exposure for recognized companies. The award categories include:

• Life Safety Award for the most innovative use of interactive services in a life safety situation including fire, carbon monoxide detection or medical emergency.

• Peace of Mind Award recognizing the most dramatic use of interactive services to extend connection with family members.

• Protect and Connect Award for the best use of interactive services in an intrusion scenario to include alarm activations in a robbery or burglary.

• Sustainable Lifestyle Award for installations that reduce energy consumption and costs in a residential home.

• I Love My Pet Award for the best use of interactive services in caring for our beloved animals.

Nominations for the ESA Accepted SECURE+ Awards can be submitted in the coming weeks with winners to be announced at the ESA Leadership Summit, Feb. 18-21, 2013 in Orlando, Fla.

For information, visit www.esaweb.org or contact Shannon Murphy, ESA vice president of sales and marketing, at (972) 807-6835 or at Shannon.Murphy@ESAweb.org.

MacDowell announced at ESX that several companies already made sponsorships commitments, including AE Ventures, Alarm.com, Moon Security, Interlogix, Smokey Mountain Alarm and Telguard.